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Planetary Pasta Rovers

Henrico Learner Profile (HLP) 6C Focus

4th Grade - Science 

SOL/Standard - 

4.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by 

f) obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

4.5 The student will investigate and understand that the planets have characteristics and a specific place in the solar system. 

Learning Experience

Students read articles on Newsela about NASA’s rovers.  They chose a planet to send a Rover to and designed it as tailored to that planet.  They then constructed a model of their rovers using pasta pieces to represent elements of their rovers (cameras, collection tools, etc). They had to adhere to a budget from NASA as they were creating their rovers. Students then crafted a newspaper article announcing their rover to the public. The project leans heavily on students’ collaboration skills as they work in teams to plan, design, and create their models and also to create their newspaper articles. Students then presented their work to their classmates. 

What did the student(s) learn about this experience:

"We took hours working on the rover and the newspaper. My group and I brainstormed ideas together and when we were building we had to listen to each other's ideas. We learned a lot about collaboration. It was a lot of fun."

What did the teacher enjoy about this experience:

"Students were so engaged in their research and planning for their rovers! It was great to see them learning how to collaborate with each other, negotiating ideas, and changing plans together." - Meredith Brooks

Additional Pictures, Media & Artifacts

Thank you to the innovators who helped make this experience possible: